WEDNESDAY'S STOCK MARKET.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9281, 5 December 1895, Page 4

WEDNESDAY'S STOCK MARKET.

_BT OCR COMJ__RCIA_ IDITOB.] The attendance at the yards was not large, and, as a role, there was not any very marked animation in tbe proceedings. In the store theep pens buyers were evidently very much in earnest when any forward lines of orossbreds were put forward. Sales of forward two-tooths were made at 8s 6d to 9s 6d, and for any young sheep in good order the demand was firm and encouraging. Numerically the fat sheep supply was smaller than we have been accustomed to of late. It must, however, be noted that the pens were chiefly filled with batchers* sheep, and as a natural consequence the supply in this respect wss quite equal to the demand. Of course, for all export sheep a keen demand was met, but for other descriptions we regret having to record a most dismal sale, and a distinct decline in values. Even young- ewes — four-tooth maidens, for example — scarcely elicited a bid, and it can readily be imagined how other descriptions fared. Altogether we must admit that in regard to butchers* stuff it was one of tbe worst sales we have seen for the_ past three months. Amongst the sales were:— Mr A. McLonghlan, crossbreds 12s lid, do ewes 9* 5d to ICU 5d ; Mr J. Copland and Mr Stringfellow, Rakaia, crossbred ewes 8s 6d to 9s 6d ; Mr Jas. Brown, Dunsandel. crossbred ewes 7s 61 to 8s 9d; Mr V. W. Wright, Kaiapoi, crossbred ewes 13s 9d ;

Mr D. McMillan, Southbridsje, crossbred ewes 10a ; Mr J. Copland, Chertsey, crossbred ewes 7s lOd to 9 * 6d, merino ewes 5s ; Mr T. Harris, Governor's Bay fat lambs 9i lOd to 10s; Acton Estate, crossbred wethers 14a 4d to 14s 6d ; Messrs Waghora Bros., crossbred ewes 8" 6d to 8s 9J -. Mr A. J. Murray, crossbred wethers 12s 6d ; Mr D. McCarthy crossbred owes 8s 9d to 10s ;Mr J. Maddison, crossbred ewes 9* 3d to 9s 6d ; Mr A. Overton, crossbred ewes 10* 6i to 10s lid; Mr W. Birdling. sen., crossbred ewes 10s 9d to lis 8d ; executors S. Harris, crossbred wethers 13s lid to 15s 91. o.rossbred ewes 12s 8d to 14s 6d ; Mr J. Eaglesome. crossbred ewes 8s 2d to Si 3d ; executors F. Coo, crossbred ewes 8s 9d, wethers 13s 91 ; Messrs Wood and Sons, crossbred ewes 7s 9d to 8a 9d ; Mr A. Hogg, crossbred wethers 13s 7d ; Levels Katate, crossbred wethers Ids to 15s 6d ; Mr J. B. Campbell, crossbred wethers 13s 7d to 15*; Mr T. B. Howson, crossbred ewes 12s. The fat lamb pens were very fully supplied, aud generally the sale was mo3t satisfactory. Some improvement in late rates took place, and we think an advance of sixpence to a shilling a head was mido during the day on last week's prices. One ot two exceptional lines made over 15*, but we think the aver-i-ge for prime sorts was about 10* 6J to 12s. Inferior quality made 7s to 9*.

A diversity of opinion seemed to exist regarding the baef market. For our own part we think late rates were just about maintained, but we cannot see that any advance in laßt week's values can be contended, and 21s was probably the beat value per 100 lbs. Pig buyets did not seem much inclined to give more than 3d per lb for best sorts, and at this value most of the entry was cleared. Our market report, appearing in the usual column, will supply readers with full quotations.